Dell launches AMD-based Dimension desktop PCs

After years of shunning AMD, Dell has finally launched some desktop machines powered by AMD processors today. The new systems, dubbed Dimension E521 and Dimension C521, will become available tomorrow with a choice of AMD's Sempron, Athlon 64, and Athlon 64 X2 processors. They will come with Windows XP Media Center Edition as well as optional TV tuners, and AMD tells us the machines will be certified under the AMD Live! brand. The Live! certification mandates a Socket AM2 Athlon 64 X2 processor, 1GB of RAM, Windows XP Media Center Edition, away mode BIOS support, and a compact form factor.

Presumably, only some configurations of the Dimension C521 will have AMD Live! branding, since Dell says the machine is half the size of the Dimension E521 and will start at just $359. The Dimension E521 will be even cheaper, with its base configuration to cost a scant $329. Both systems will go up for sale tomorrow in conjunction with an Intel version of the Dimension E521 dubbed Dimension E520 that will start at $719 and include Pentium D or Core 2 Duo processors.